WEATHER STATIONS AT UTAH'S BACKCOUNTRY AIRSTRIPS

It was a cold, blustery, and snowy day at Cedar Mountain Airstrip in Utah when RAF Utah Liaison and UBCP Board Member, Wendy Lessig met with representatives from the Utah Division of Aeronautics (UDOT Aeronautics) and the BLM, to scout out locations for a portable weather station. UDOT Aeronautics is proposing to place 11 portable weather stations at backcountry airstrips across Utah. “This weather data can fill in gaps where no weather collection currently exists. This will help enhance public safety,” Lessig said. 


These weather stations will provide on-airstrip weather data for pilots, emergency services, firefighters, BLM employees, and other recreational users. A project developed together by the UBCP and UDOT Aeronautics as part of Utah’s Airport Capital Improvement Program, the weather data will fill in gaps where no weather collection currently exists, which will help enhance public safety. RAF Utah Liaison, Wendy Lessig, is facilitating communications with the BLM and has prepared the applications for BLM to review and approve the weather stations. "This project is a true collaboration of stakeholders working together to improve backcountry aviation," Lessig said.


 In the photo, L to R: Wendy Lessig (RAF Utah Liaison), Nick Holt (UDOT Aeronautics), Nicole Zinger (UDOT Aeronautics), and Dan Rainey (BLM). 


Submitted January 15, 2025

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